Former Rutgers Instructor Sentenced to Prison for Using University Computer to Share Videos of Child Pornography Over Internet

TRENTON - Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that a former Rutgers University instructor was sentenced to state prison today for using a computer in his university office to share videos of child pornography over the Internet.

Gavin Swiatek, 50, a former biochemistry instructor on the Rutgers University Cook Campus in New Brunswick, was sentenced to four years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Bradley J. Ferencz. Swiatek pleaded guilty on Dec. 11, 2012, to a second-degree charge of distributing child pornography. He is permanently barred from public employment.

Deputy Attorney General Kenneth R. Sharpe prosecuted the case and handled the sentencing for the Division of Criminal Justice. Swiatek was charged as a result of an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit and the Division of Criminal Justice Computer Analysis & Technology Unit.

In pleading guilty, Swiatek admitted that he used peer-to-peer file sharing technology to make multiple files containing child pornography readily available for any other user to download from a designated “shared folder” on his university computer. The state investigation revealed that he shared numerous files containing child pornography, mostly videos.

“It is shocking that a teacher, someone who is supposed to be motivated to nurture and strengthen young people, would participate in a criminal network that derives gratification from the torture of children and the destruction of their lives,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “Prison is the right sentence for this man and anyone else who joins the depraved network of people who share child pornography online.”

“The Division of Criminal Justice has nearly 50 child pornography cases pending, thanks to our ongoing efforts in partnership with the New Jersey State Police and the other members of the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We have made it a statewide priority to prosecute defendants whose actions create a constant demand for images of children being sexually assaulted, abused, and, raped.”

“The arrest and conviction of this former educator sends a clear message that New Jersey law enforcement will not tolerate the victimization of children,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Working with the Division of Criminal Justice, our detectives will leave no stone unturned to find individuals who engage in this disturbing behavior.”

Swiatek was arrested on Jan. 10, 2012, at his home in Hillsborough by members of the New Jersey State Police. Rutgers University seized Swiatek’s university computer from his office. Investigators also executed a search warrant and seized a laptop computer and digital media from Swiatek and from his home.

The investigation was led by Detective Paul Sciortino of the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit and Deputy Attorney General Sharpe of the Division of Criminal Justice Computer Analysis & Technology Unit. Attorney General Chiesa thanked the Rutgers University Police Department and Rutgers Office of Information Technology for their valuable assistance.

If you have information about the distribution of child pornography on the Internet or suspect improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the Internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children, please contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 1-888-648-6007.